Those who were prepared for the elements took cover with their canvases under umbrellas, tents and the liftgates of their cars so they could continue working on their pieces that were made to celebrate the city.

Artist Heidi Montanari of Littleton said she arrived in the downtown area at 9 a.m. and at one point had to take shelter in her car before finishing her painting of some landscaping in front of Fish Restaurant and Wine Bar.

"I do this for fun to relax," Montanari said of painting.

Event producer Susan Alatalo said she was almost in tears when all the beautiful pastels in the sidewalk chalk display next to the Vin Bin washed away with a deluge of rain just before noon.

"I’m pleased, though, that the artists did come out," Alatalo said. "We were able to finish a banner for the Labor Day Parade."

Fashion illustrator Nancy Opp said just as the rain came and went in bursts, so did crowds of people who watched the artists work and listened to bands playing on both ends of the Cultural District.

Opp moved her mannequin inside Giorgi’s Boutique to finish sketching before the artists gathered for a wet paint exhibit and critique at Union Common.

Alatalo said there will likely be a display of all the pieces created Sunday, though details have not been finalized.

Sara Mulkeen can be reached at 508-490-7475 or smulkeen@wickedlocal.com.